Last year, the inaugural UK Surf & Skate Expo launched to 10,000 people in Newquay. The event was hailed a success by brands, attendees and athletes alike. In the words of big wave legend Dylan Longbottom: “This is the most slickly-run event I’ve ever been to.” You’re welcome, world.
Anyway, the team are back again to deliver the 2026 UK Surf & Skate Expo and rather than play it safe, they’ve gone all out — when the Expo launched July 25th and 26th at Wax Gym in Newquay. There’s the Expo Village in the field featuring dozens of your favourite brands, the Expo Hall presented by YETI featuring key note speakers — but more on this soon. Concrete Waves is back to host skate comps, Great Western will house a surf event and so much more to be announced.
What we can say though is there is a vast amount of additional events running up to this one. Here are the major additions for 2026:
Out Of Office Conference July 24th: a one-day event for businesses to connect at the seaside in Newquay. Including keynote speakers from Passenger, YETI, Marwick Marketing and even the guy who started Ryan Air’s viral social media, Michael Corcoran, plus an influencer panel with Robyn Poppy and more to be announced. The getaway event for brand reps in the cities to enjoy being by the seaside for a bit. Tickets here.
European Surf Film Festival, July 25th, after the Expo on the Saturday, head up to the hall for a 6pm sharp start of the greatest flicks from across the way. Hosted by Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, this will be a treat. Tickets here.
Wind & Foil Show, July 25th and 26th, where the best wind and foil brands will showcase their equipment, offer demos and much more. Tickets here.
Rising Tide Festival, July 25th and 26th: officially joins UK Surf & Skate Expo. The hugely successful Rising Tide Festival will run at the Expo, up at Newquay Orchard. Drop in for sustainability chats and so much more. Tickets here.
What Else Is On?
Expo Hall, presented by YETI (all weekend): Key note speakers, fire side chats — we’ll keep you posted on what’s coming up but we’ve got some exciting names in the mix.
Tales From the Frontier, presented by XTRATUF (all weekend): XTRATUF are showing up in a big way to Expo, bringing their athletes and creators to give chats on a specially-designed stage.
Wavelength UK Surfer Awards, July 25th, evening, voting is now open to nominate your favourite UK surfers. Do so, here!
Chris Thomson, Expo organiser said: “We had a very successful year last year. They say the first year is one of the trickiest as it’s an event that hasn’t been done before. With more then 65 exhibitors, dozens of international speakers and 10,000 people through the door, think we proved the concept worked. It’s why this year, we want to go bigger and bolder – create a space where brands can connect, athletes can meet and members of the public get to interact with their heroes, or brands they’ve followed for a long time.
“The new additions to the Expo open the door to connect on a deeper level too, with European Surf Film Festival screening top films, Wind and Foil Show having space for a different type of ocean-user and Out Of Office Conference there for business to connect.
“We’ll bring the speakers again this year, and a village in marquees. We’ll be announcing lots more exciting elements as we get closer to the date.”
Last year, one of the highlights of the Expo was a talk by Dogtown and Z Boys legend, Tony Alva, after he had spent a few hours at Newquay’s skatepark Concrete Waves.
Exhibitors are still able to book in for this year’s Expo, which you can do so by going here.
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Entry to the Expo Village is free but you will still need an entry pass. To see talks, films and more, you will need to purchase a ticket. Which you can do by going here.
